JP2010277364A - Electronic shelf label system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for causing an electronic shelf label to surely display article information common to a plurality of kinds of articles when the article information is input to an electronic shelf label system. <P>SOLUTION: During correspondence processing, device codes relating to electronic shelf labels 5 corresponding to a plurality of kinds of articles and an article code relating to one of the plurality of kinds of articles are input to an ESL (Electronic Shelf Label) server 10. Article information common to the plurality of kinds of articles and an article code relating to one of the plurality of kinds of articles are input to the ESL server 10 from a POS server 3. The ESl server 10 specifies an electronic shelf label 5 corresponding to an article relating to the article code from the POS server 3 on the basis of the article code, device codes, and a group file at the time of correspondence processing. Article information from the POS server 3 is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic shelf label system including an electronic shelf label that is arranged corresponding to a product and displays product information relating to the corresponding product.

  Generally, in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, the selling prices of products in the store are managed centrally by a product master stored in a POS system or the like. On the other hand, the selling price is often transmitted to consumers (customers) by paper media shelf labels placed in the vicinity of the product. When such a paper medium shelf label is adopted, the management of the shelf label must be relied upon manually, and thus human error such as a mistake in selling price tends to occur. For this reason, an incorrect selling price different from that of the product master may be transmitted to the consumer.

  In order to solve such a problem, as described in Patent Document 1, an electronic shelf label system (ESL system / Electronic Shelf Label System) has been put into practical use in recent years. In the electronic shelf label system, each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels is arranged corresponding to the product, the selling price based on the product master is transmitted to each electronic shelf label, and each electronic shelf label is sent the selling price that has been transmitted. Is displayed. As a result, the correct selling price can be transmitted to consumers.

  In the electronic shelf label system described in Patent Document 1, in the server device, a device code that is shelf label identification information for identifying an electronic shelf label is associated with a product code that is product identification information for identifying a product. A link file is also stored. The link file associates the electronic shelf label with the product in terms of data. When transmitting the selling price for a certain product to the electronic shelf label, the server device refers to the link file, identifies the electronic shelf label corresponding to the product, and The selling price for the product is sent. Thereby, the selling price of the corresponding product is displayed on the electronic shelf label. In the electronic shelf label system, when the electronic shelf label and the product are associated with each other in terms of data, the worker has the product identification information about the target product and the shelf label identification information about the electronic shelf label associated with the product. Input to the electronic shelf label system. In the electronic shelf label system, the input product identification information and shelf label identification information are associated with each other and registered in the link file.

JP 2004-265196 A

  When product information about a product managed in the electronic shelf label system is updated, the latest product information about the product is sent from a host system such as a POS system to the electronic shelf label system. And product identification information are input. In the electronic shelf label system, the product information about the product specified by the input product identification information is updated with the input product information. In the electronic shelf label system, the link file is referred to identify the electronic shelf label associated with the product specified by the input product identification information, and the input is input to the electronic shelf label. Product information is sent. As a result, the latest product information is displayed on the electronic shelf label.

  On the other hand, for items such as clothes, although the product identification information given to a plurality of types of products (for example, S size, M size, and L size sweaters) that differ only in size is different from each other, In many cases, merchandise information such as selling price transmitted to consumers is common. In addition, for products such as confectionery, although the product identification information given to each of a plurality of types of products that differ only in packaging (for example, ramune confectionery in red packaging, blue packaging, and yellow packaging) is different from each other, In many products, product information transmitted to consumers is common.

  As described above, for a plurality of types of products to which product identification information different from each other is given and the product information transmitted to the consumer is common, the product information common to the plurality of types of products is changed. Electronic shelf labels to be displayed are arranged corresponding to the plurality of types of products. In such a case, when only product identification information about one type of product among the plurality of types of products is registered in the link file, the latest product information about the plurality of types of products is obtained from the host system. Even if it is sent to the electronic shelf label system, the electronic shelf label system may not be able to display the latest product information on the electronic shelf label arranged corresponding to the plurality of types of products.

  For example, in the link file, when only product identification information for S size products is registered among S size, M size, and L size products, the upper system sends the M size to the electronic shelf label system. When the latest merchandise information and merchandise identification information about merchandise is sent, the merchandise identification information about the M size merchandise input to the electronic shelf label system is not registered in the link file. In the tag system, it is not possible to specify an electronic shelf label for displaying the input product information. As a result, in the electronic shelf label system, the product information input from the host system cannot be displayed on the electronic shelf label.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and in the electronic shelf label system, when common product information is input to a plurality of types of products to which different product identification information is assigned, An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reliably displaying product information on an electronic shelf label.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 is an electronic shelf label system including an electronic shelf label that is arranged corresponding to a product and displays product information related to the corresponding product, each of which has a plurality of types. A plurality of product groups consisting of products are defined, and in each of the plurality of product groups, product identification information for identifying products, which are different from each other, for a plurality of types of products constituting the product group. Product identification information for one type of product included in one product group and shelf label identification for identifying an electronic shelf label common to multiple types of products that make up the one product group A group in which a first input unit for inputting information and a plurality of product identification information for identifying a plurality of types of products constituting one product group are shown for each product group A storage unit for storing information, product information common to a plurality of types of products constituting the product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the first input unit belongs, and one product group Based on the second input unit to which product identification information about the type of product is input, the product identification information and shelf label identification information input to the first input unit, and the group information, the second input A shelf label identifying unit that identifies an electronic shelf label that is common to a plurality of types of products that belong to the product group to which the product identified by the product identification information input to the unit belongs, and an electronic shelf identified by the shelf label identifying unit The electronic shelf label that receives the product information from the transmission unit displays the product information. The electronic shelf label includes a transmission unit that transmits the product information input to the second input unit.

  The invention of claim 2 is the electronic shelf label system according to claim 1, wherein the shelf label specifying unit is the product identification information input to the first input unit based on the group information. A first identification unit that identifies product identification information for other types of products belonging to the same product group as the identified product, the product identification information input to the first input unit, and the first identification unit. A generating unit that generates association information indicating the product identification information and the shelf label identification information input to the first input unit in association with each other, and the input to the second input unit based on the association information A second specifying unit that specifies an electronic shelf label that is common to a plurality of types of products that form a product group to which the product specified by the specified product identification information belongs.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the electronic shelf label system according to claim 1, wherein the shelf label specifying unit corresponds to the product identification information and the shelf label identification information input to the first input unit. A plurality of product groups to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the second input unit belongs based on the group information and the correlation information And a specifying unit for specifying an electronic shelf label common to the types of products.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the electronic shelf label system according to claim 1, wherein the group information includes group identification information for identifying one product group for each product group, and the one A plurality of product identification information for identifying each of a plurality of types of products constituting a product group is shown in association with each other, and the shelf label specifying unit is input to the first input unit based on the group information A first specifying unit that specifies group identification information for a product group to which the product specified by the product identification information belongs, group identification information specified by the first specifying unit, and a shelf that is input to the first input unit A generation unit that generates association information that indicates the tag identification information in association with each other, and a product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the second input unit belongs based on the group information. Product identification information input to the second input unit based on the second identification unit that identifies group identification information about the group, the association information and the group identification information identified by the second identification unit A third specifying unit that specifies an electronic shelf label that is common to a plurality of types of products that form a product group to which the specified product belongs.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the electronic shelf label system according to claim 4, wherein the group identification information is determined by a system different from the product identification information or specified by the group identification information. This is product identification information that is representative of a plurality of product identification information for identifying each of a plurality of types of products that constitute one product group.

  According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the first input unit includes product identification information about one type of product included in one product group, and a plurality of types of products constituting the one product group. The shelf label identification information about the electronic shelf label common to the products is input, and the second input unit includes a plurality of types constituting the product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the first input unit belongs Product information common to the products and product identification information for one type of product included in the product group. Based on the product identification information and shelf label identification information input to the first input unit and the group information, a product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the second input unit belongs is configured. An electronic shelf label common to a plurality of types of products is specified. Therefore, in each of the first input unit and the second input unit, a plurality of types of products that constitute one product group, regardless of which type of product identification information is input from one product group. An electronic shelf label common to all can be specified. Therefore, in each of the first input unit and the second input unit, even if product identification information for any type of product is input from one product group, a plurality of types of products constituting the one product group. It is possible to reliably display the common product information on the electronic shelf label common to the plural types of products.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 2, product identification information for other types of products belonging to the same product group as the product specified by the product identification information input to the first input unit is specified based on the group information. Then, association information for associating the identified product identification information and the product identification information input to the first input unit with the shelf label identification information is generated. Therefore, no matter what type of product identification information is input to the first input unit in one product group, product identification information and shelves for all types of products that constitute the one product group. The tag identification information can be associated. Therefore, no matter what kind of product identification information is input to the second input unit among the product groups to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the first input unit belongs, A common electronic shelf label can be specified for a plurality of types of commodities constituting the product. As a result, in each of the first input unit and the second input unit, even if product identification information for any type of product is input in one product group, a plurality of types of products constituting the one product group Product information common to products can be reliably displayed on an electronic shelf label common to the plurality of types of products.

  In particular, according to the third aspect of the invention, the association information indicating the product identification information and the shelf label identification information input to the first input unit in association with each other is generated. Then, based on the association information and the group information, an electronic shelf label common to a plurality of types of products constituting the product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the second input unit belongs is specified. The Therefore, in each of the first input unit and the second input unit, a plurality of types of products that constitute one product group, regardless of which type of product identification information is input from one product group. An electronic shelf label common to all can be specified. Therefore, in each of the first input unit and the second input unit, even if product identification information for any type of product is input from one product group, a plurality of types of products constituting the one product group. It is possible to reliably display the common product information on the electronic shelf label common to the plural types of products.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 4, the group identification information for the product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the first input unit belongs is specified based on the group information, and the specified group identification information Correspondence information is generated that correlates the shelf label identification information with each other. Therefore, no matter what type of product identification information is input to the first input unit in one product group, the group identification information and shelf label identification information for the one product group are associated with each other. The association information shown can be generated. And the group identification information about the product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the second input unit belongs is specified based on the group information, and based on the specified group identification information and the association information, Since a common electronic shelf label is specified for a plurality of types of products that constitute the product group, no matter what type of product identification information is input to the second input unit in one product group, An electronic shelf label common to a plurality of types of products constituting the one product group can be specified. Therefore, in each of the first input unit and the second input unit, even if product identification information for any type of product is input from one product group, a plurality of types of products constituting the one product group. It is possible to reliably display the common product information on the electronic shelf label common to the plural types of products.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the goods management system containing the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the electronic shelf label with which the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows a mode that the electronic shelf label with which the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows a mode that the electronic shelf label with which the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ESL server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the goods file which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the link file which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the group file which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information processing terminal which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the electronic shelf label which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the electronic shelf label which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the link file which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ESL server which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the link file for single goods goods which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the link file for group goods which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic shelf label system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the group file which concerns on Embodiment 1-3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the link file for group goods which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the single goods product file which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1-3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the group goods file which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 1-3 of this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a product management system 100 including an electronic shelf label system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The product management system 100 according to the first embodiment is a system that is introduced into a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store. 2 and 3 are views showing a state in which the electronic shelf label 5 provided in the electronic shelf label system 1 is arranged on the product shelf 60 of the store. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the electronic shelf label 5 is attached to a product shelf 60 on which clothes such as sweaters are displayed as the product 6, and FIG. 60 shows a state where the electronic shelf label 5 is attached.

  In the electronic shelf label system 1, portable electronic shelf labels 5 that display product information such as selling prices are arranged corresponding to the products 6. And the selling price based on a goods master about the corresponding goods 6 is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5 from the information delivery apparatus 40, The said electronic shelf label 5 displays the selling price. Thereby, in the electronic shelf label 5, the correct selling price corresponding to the selling price at the time of settlement is displayed for the corresponding product 6, and as a result, the correct selling price is transmitted to the customer.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of types of products 6 are displayed on each of the plurality of product shelves 60 arranged in the sales space 90 of the store. One unique product code is assigned to one type of product 6. Therefore, the types of the plurality of products 6 to which the same product code is assigned are the same, and the types of the plurality of products 6 to which the different product codes are assigned are different from each other. The product code is product identification information for identifying the product 6 and is, for example, a JAN code. Each product 6 has a barcode or label indicating a product code for identifying the product 6.

  A plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 are attached to the frame 61 of the product shelf 60. Each electronic shelf label 5 is disposed corresponding to the product 6 and is disposed in the vicinity of the corresponding product 6, for example, immediately below the corresponding product 6.

  Here, although different product codes are given among a plurality of types of clothes that differ only in size, the product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 may be the same because the selling price is the same. is there. Moreover, although different product codes are given among a plurality of types of confectionery having only different package colors, the product information to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is the same because the selling price is the same. There is.

  A common electronic shelf label 5 is provided for a plurality of types of products 6 having the same product information to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 5. In this case, one electronic shelf label 5 is arranged corresponding to a plurality of types of products 6 and displays product information common to the plurality of types of products 6.

  On the other hand, there may be no other types of products 6 that have the same product information to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 for one type of product 6, and in this case, the one electronic shelf label 5 Are arranged corresponding to the one type of product 6 and display the product information of the one type of product 6.

  Hereinafter, a group including a plurality of types of products 6 on which common product information is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is referred to as a “product group 600”. In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of product groups 600 with different product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 5. Each of the plurality of product groups 600 is assigned a group number that is group identification information for identifying the product group 600. Further, a product 6 in which another type of product 6 having the same product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 exists, that is, each product 6 constituting a product group is referred to as a “group product 6”. In addition, a product 6 for which there is no other type of product 6 that has the same product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is referred to as a “single product 6”.

  In the example of FIG. 2, a plurality of types of clothing (group product 6) of S size, M size, and L size are displayed in each of the upper left, upper right, and lower left spaces of the product shelf 60 when viewed from the front. A common electronic shelf label 5 is associated with the plurality of types of clothes. In the example of FIG. 2, one type of free (F) size clothing, which is a single product 6, is displayed in the lower right space of the product shelf 60 when viewed from the front. One type of clothes is associated with one electronic shelf label 5.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 3, a plurality of types of confectionery (group product 6) having different packaging (for example, different packaging colors) in each of the upper left, upper right, and lower left spaces of the product shelf 60 when viewed from the front. A common electronic shelf label 5 is associated with the plurality of types of confectionery. In the example of FIG. 3, one type of confectionery, which is a single item product 6, is displayed in the lower right space of the product shelf 60 when viewed from the front. An electronic shelf label 5 is associated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when a space for displaying one product group 600 is large, a plurality of common electronic shelf labels are used for a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the one product group 600. 5 (two electronic shelf labels 5 in FIG. 4) may be associated with each other. In addition, when a space for displaying one type of single item product 6 is large, a plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 may be associated with the one type of single item product 6. In both cases of FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. 4, if one electronic shelf label 5 is viewed, it can be associated with a plurality of types of group products 6 constituting one product group 600. Either one type of single product 6 is associated.

  In the first embodiment, each electronic shelf label 5 is configured to be detachable from the frame 61 of the product shelf 60 so as to be able to deal with rearrangement of the product 6, and is removed from the frame 61 and placed at another position. Can be rearranged.

  Next, the configuration of the product management system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the merchandise management system 100 includes a store controller 2 and a POS system 3 along with an electronic shelf label system 1. The POS server 31 included in the POS system 3 and the ESL server 10 included in the electronic shelf label system 1 are connected to the store controller 2 via the LAN 21. Thereby, data communication is possible among the store controller 2, the POS system 3, and the electronic shelf label system 1.

  The store controller 2 is composed of a general computer, and functions as a device that comprehensively manages the merchandise management system 100. In addition, the store controller 2 is connected to an external network such as the Internet, and can communicate with a computer such as a server device disposed in a headquarter center that manages the store through the external network.

  The POS system 3 is a system that collects and analyzes information related to the sale of the product 6 at the time of sale, and a plurality of registers 32 that perform settlement of the product 6 together with a POS server 31 that manages the POS system 3 in an integrated manner. It has. The POS server 31 and each register 32 are connected by a dedicated communication cable.

  The POS server 31 is composed of a general computer, and the hard disk stores a product master 301 indicating various information related to the product 6 such as selling price. In each of the plurality of registers 32, the product 6 is settled based on the selling price registered in the product master 301.

  Information related to all products 6 in the store is centrally managed by the product master 301. The information described in the product master 301 includes a product code, a product name that is the name of the product 6, a normal price that is a normal selling price, a special selling price that is a selling price in a special sale, a special sale period that is a period for performing the special sale, and sales. The number of items, the number of stocks, the number of orders that are delivered in one order, the quality information indicating the quality of the product 6, and the like are included. The merchandise information described in the merchandise master 301 is normally changed based on an instruction from the computer at the headquarters center (information received by the store controller 2), but the merchandise information is changed by directly operating the POS server 31. It is also possible to do.

  The electronic shelf label system 1 includes a plurality of electronic shelf labels 5, an information distribution device 40, a portable remote controller 160 used when switching the display of the electronic shelf labels 5, the electronic shelf labels 5, and the products 6. And a portable information processing terminal 180 used when data are associated with each other. An infrared signal is output from the remote controller 160, and when the electronic shelf label 5 receives the infrared signal, the display of the electronic shelf label 5 is switched.

  The information distribution device 40 includes an ESL server 10, a base station 41, and a plurality of communication devices 4. Each communication device 4 performs infrared communication with the electronic shelf label 5. The base station 41 is connected to the ESL server 10 and each communication device 4 and functions as a signal repeater between the ESL server 10 and each communication device 4. Each communication device 4 receives product information from the ESL server 10 through the base station 41, and transmits an infrared signal including the received product information to the electronic shelf label 5. Each communication device 4 receives an infrared signal transmitted from the electronic shelf label 5. The plurality of communication devices 4 are arranged at substantially constant distances on the ceiling of the sales space 90 so as to communicate with all the electronic shelf labels 5 arranged in the sales space 90.

  The ESL server 10 is a server device that manages the electronic shelf label system 1 in an integrated manner, and is arranged in a backyard separate from the sales space 90 in the store. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the ESL server 10. The configuration of the ESL server 10 as hardware is the same as that of a general computer. As shown in FIG. 5, the ESL server 10 includes a CPU 11 that performs various arithmetic processes, a ROM 12 that stores a boot program, a RAM 13 that serves as a work area for the arithmetic processes, a hard disk 14 that stores programs and various data files, A display unit 15 for performing various displays, an operation unit 16 including a keyboard and a mouse, and a data communication unit 17 having a data communication function via the LAN 21 are provided. Further, the ESL server 10 is connected to the base station 41 via the interface unit 18, and data to be transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5 is transmitted to the base station 41 via the interface unit 18.

  A dedicated operation program is stored in advance in the hard disk 14 of the ESL server 10, and various functions as the ESL server 10 are realized by the CPU 11 performing arithmetic processing according to the operation program. The hard disk 14 of the ESL server 10 stores a product file 101, a link file 102, and a group file 103.

  The product file 101 is a data file indicating various types of information related to the product 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the product file 101. As shown in FIG. 6, the product file 101 has a table format, and each of the plurality of records 101 a indicates product information related to one type of product 6. Specifically, a product code, a product name, a normal price, a special sale price, a special sale period, a sales quantity, a stock quantity, an order quantity, quality information, and the like are registered for each record 101a. These pieces of information are the same information as the product master 301 stored in the POS system 3 described above, and are registered based on the information in the product master 301 through communication between the ESL server 10 and the POS system 3. For this reason, the information in the product file 101 and the information in the product master 301 match.

  In FIG. 6, a plurality of types of products 6 identified by product codes “100201”, “100202”, and “100203” constitute one product group 600, and product codes “100301”, “100302” And a plurality of types of products 6 identified by “100303” constitute one product group 600. A plurality of types of products 6 specified by the product codes “150601”, “150602”, and “150603” constitute one product group 600, and are specified by the product codes “150701” and “150702”, respectively. A plurality of types of products 6 constitute one product group 600. In each product group 600, a normal price, a special sale price, etc. are common among a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600.

  The link file 102 is a data file that associates the electronic shelf label 5 with the product 6 in terms of data. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the link file 102. As shown in FIG. 7, the link file 102 has a table format, and each record 102a shows one product code and one device code in association with each other. Here, the device code is shelf label identification information for identifying the electronic shelf label 5 and is information unique to each of the plurality of electronic shelf labels 5 provided in the electronic shelf label system 1. In the link file 102 according to the first embodiment, one device code is associated with each of the product codes for all types of products 6 handled in the store. By such a link file 102, the electronic shelf label 5 is associated with each single product 6 in terms of data, and the electronic shelf label 5 is associated with each group product 6 in terms of data. By using the device code in the link file 102, product information such as the selling price of the product 6 is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5 corresponding to the product 6.

  The group file 103 is a data file that associates the product group 600 with the product 6. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the group file 103. As shown in FIG. 8, each of a plurality of group numbers is associated with a plurality of product codes for identifying a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 specified by the group number. ing. That is, in the group file 103, for each product group 600, a group number for identifying one product group 600 and a plurality of products for identifying a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the one product group 600. Corresponding codes are shown.

  The ESL server 10 having the above configuration generates transmission data to be transmitted to each electronic shelf label 5 by the CPU 11 and outputs the transmission data to each communication device 4 through the interface unit 18 and the base station 41. Each communication device 4 outputs a communication signal including the input transmission data to each electronic shelf label 5 with which it can communicate. Specifically, each communication device 4 transmits an infrared signal modulated with the input transmission data. As a result, the same transmission data is input from the information distribution device 40 to each electronic shelf label 5 arranged in the sales space 90. The transmission data transmitted from the ESL server 10 includes product information such as a normal price and a sale price in the product file 101, a device code, and the like.

  In addition, an access point (AP) 170 that is a radio wave relay for wireless LAN is connected to the LAN 21, and the information processing terminal 180 can be connected to the LAN 21 through the access point 170. Therefore, the information processing terminal 180 can communicate with the store controller 2, the POS server 31, and the ESL server 10 through the LAN 21.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing terminal 180. As shown in FIG. 9, the information processing terminal 180 includes a CPU 181 that performs various arithmetic processes, a storage unit 182 that stores various types of information, a display unit 183 that performs various displays, and a plurality of operations. An operation unit 184 composed of buttons, a barcode reader 185 for acquiring information indicated by a barcode, and a wireless LAN communication unit 186 having a data communication function by wireless communication using a wireless LAN are provided.

  The information processing terminal 180 can perform data communication with the store controller 2, the POS server 31, and the ESL server 10 through the AP 170 and the LAN 21 by the function of the wireless LAN communication unit 186. A store clerk can input various types of information to the information processing terminal 180 using the operation unit 184 and the barcode reader 185 that function as an input unit that receives input of information. A dedicated program is stored in advance in the storage unit 182 of the information processing terminal 180, and various functions as the information processing terminal 180 are realized by the CPU 181 performing arithmetic processing according to the program.

  Such an information processing terminal 180 may be configured as a dedicated portable device such as a handy terminal, or may be configured by a general-purpose portable computer such as a notebook computer or a PDA to which a barcode reader is connected.

  Next, the configuration of the electronic shelf label 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electronic shelf label 5. As shown in FIG. 10, a display 51 for displaying various information is arranged on the front surface of the electronic shelf label 5. The electronic shelf label 5 is provided with a communication unit 54 that communicates with the communication device 4 so that the electronic shelf label 5 can be viewed from the front.

  The communication unit 54 includes a light emitting unit 52 that outputs an infrared signal, and a light receiving unit 53 that receives the infrared signal from the communication device 4 and the remote controller 160, converts it into an electrical signal, and outputs it. The light emitting unit 52 that functions as a transmitting unit that transmits data is configured by, for example, an LED, and the light receiving unit 53 that functions as a receiving unit that receives data is configured by, for example, a photodiode and an amplifier.

  The display 51 is a non-volatile display unit of a dot matrix system in which the display screen is composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and is composed of, for example, electronic paper. In a non-volatile display unit such as electronic paper, display contents can be held without applying driving power. Since the display 51 is a dot matrix type display unit, it can display not only numerical values indicating the selling price of the product 6 but also characters, symbols, figures, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the display 51 displays the product name 51b of the product 6 together with the selling price 51a of the product 6 associated with the device itself. The display 51 also displays quality information 51c for the product 6 associated with the device itself.

  Inside the electronic shelf label 5, there are provided a small battery 56 that supplies power to the electronic shelf label 5 and a control unit 57 that comprehensively controls the operation of the electronic shelf label 5. The control unit 57 includes a CPU, a memory 57a, and the like. The memory 57a stores various information such as the selling price and product name to be displayed on the display 51, and the device code of the device itself. The infrared signal output from the communication device 4 is converted into an electrical signal by the communication unit 54 and then input to the control unit 57. The control unit 57 performs demodulation processing on the input electrical signal to acquire transmission data from the ESL server 10, and temporarily stores information such as selling price and product name included in the transmission data in the memory 57a. Then, the control unit 57 controls the display 51 to display various information in the memory 57a on the display 51. Thus, the control unit 57 functions as a display control unit that controls display on the display 51.

  Further, the electronic shelf label 5 can display product information such as the number of sales, the number of orders, and the sale period in addition to the information shown in FIG. 10 by switching the display on the display 51. Furthermore, the electronic shelf label 5 can display the device code assigned to itself by switching the display. The display 51 is switched according to the type of infrared signal output from the remote controller 160. The remote controller 160 has a plurality of operation buttons (not shown), and can transmit a plurality of types of infrared signals in response to external operations on the plurality of operation buttons. When the infrared signal transmitted from the remote controller 160 is received by the light receiving unit 53 of the electronic shelf label 5, the control unit 57 of the electronic shelf label 5 determines the type of the infrared signal received by the light receiving unit 53. Switch the display.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state where the display of the electronic shelf label 5 is switched to the display indicating the device code of the own device. As shown in FIG. 11, the display 51 displays a character string 51 d that represents a device code as a number and a barcode 51 e that represents the device code side by side in the direction in which the barcode 51 e extends. A character string 51f “code” is displayed.

<First transmission of product information to each electronic shelf label when the system is installed>
Next, the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the first embodiment when merchandise information is transmitted for the first time to each electronic shelf label 5 in the sales space 90 at the time of system introduction or the like will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation.

  As shown in FIG. 12, first, the CPU 11 of the ESL server 10 refers to one record 102a (for example, the first record 102a) of the link file 102 and relates to one type of product 6 from the one record 102a. A product code and a device code associated with the product code are acquired (step s1).

  Next, the CPU 11 acquires, from the product file 101, product information associated with the acquired product code and displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 (step s2). And CPU11 produces | generates the transmission data containing the acquired merchandise information and apparatus code, and transmits through the interface part 18 (step s3). The transmission data transmitted from the ESL server 10 is input to each communication device 4 through the base station 41, and each communication device 4 transmits an infrared signal including the input transmission data.

  The infrared signal transmitted from the communication device 4 is received by the communication unit 54 of the electronic shelf label 5 and converted into an electric signal (step s4). The control unit 57 performs demodulation processing on the electrical signal obtained by the communication unit 54 and acquires transmission data from the ESL server 10. The control unit 57 determines whether or not the device code in the obtained transmission data matches the device code of its own device stored in advance in the memory 57a. When the acquired device code does not match that of its own device, the control unit 57 determines that the received infrared signal is a signal for another electronic shelf label 5 and ends the process. On the other hand, when the acquired device code matches that of the own device, the control unit 57 determines that the received infrared signal is a signal for the own device, and stores the product information in the obtained transmission data in the memory 57a. To remember. And the control part 57 displays the merchandise information in the memory 57a on the display 51 (step s5). Thereby, a screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5.

  When the control unit 57 displays the product information from the ESL server 10 on the display 51, the control unit 57 causes the light emitting unit 52 to output an infrared signal including ACK information indicating that the transmission data from the ESL server 10 has been normally received (step s6). ). The infrared signal is converted into an electrical signal by the communication device 4, and the ACK information included in the electrical signal is input to the CPU 11 through the base station 41 and the interface unit 18 (step s7).

  The CPU 11 of the ESL server 10 performs step s1 again when the ACK information from the electronic shelf label 5 is input within a predetermined time from the transmission of the merchandise information in step s3. Here, the record 102a in which a device code different from the device code registered in the record 102a referred to so far is referenced, and the product code and the device code related to the record 102a are acquired. Thereafter, the same processing is performed in the electronic shelf label system 1.

  On the other hand, when the ACK information is not input to the CPU 11 within a predetermined time after the CPU 11 transmits the product information, the ESL server 10 executes step s3 again, and the product information is retransmitted. Thereby, merchandise information can be reliably transmitted to the target electronic shelf label 5. Thereafter, when receiving the ACK information, the CPU 11 performs Step s1 again. Here, the record 102a in which a device code different from the device code registered in the record 102a referred to so far is registered is referred to.

  By repeatedly performing the above processing in the electronic shelf label system 1, the product information related to the corresponding product 6 is transmitted to all the electronic shelf labels 5 registered in the link file 102, All the electronic shelf labels 5 display product information related to the corresponding product 6. At this time, in the electronic shelf label 5 associated with a plurality of types of products 6 constituting one product group 600, in other words, in the link file 102, there are a plurality of records 102a in which the device code of the own device is registered. The electronic shelf label 5 displays product information common to the plurality of types of products 6.

  As shown in FIG. 6, among a plurality of types of products 6 belonging to the same product group 600, product names registered in the product file 101 (for example, “Sweater / S size”, “Sweater / M size”). ”And“ Sweater / L size ”are different from each other, but the electronic shelf label 5 associated with the plurality of types of products 6 has a common part (for example,“ sweater ”) of the product names. Only part) is transmitted from the ESL server 10 and displayed.

  Further, when the electronic shelf label system 1 operates in the same manner as the above-described steps s1 to s7, the product information about a certain product 6 displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is registered in the product file 101. It can be changed to product information. For example, when the selling price of a certain product 6 displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is changed from the normal price to the special selling price, the CPU 11 of the ESL server 10 first registers the product code related to the target product 6. Referring to one record 102a of the link file 102, the device code registered in the one record 102a is acquired (corresponding to step s1). Next, the CPU 11 refers to one record 101a of the product file 101 in which the product code of the target product 6 is registered, and acquires a sale price from the one record 101a (corresponding to step s2). Then, the CPU 11 generates transmission data including the acquired device code and the sale price. This transmission data is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5 through the interface unit 18, the base station 41, and the communication device 4 (corresponding to step s3). Thereafter, the same processing as in steps s4 to s7 described above is performed in the electronic shelf label system 1, whereby the selling price displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 associated with the target product 6 is changed from the normal price to the special selling price. Is done.

<Update of product information displayed on the electronic shelf label>
Next, the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the first embodiment when the product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is updated will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the POS server 31, which is a host server for the ESL server 10, sends the product code related to one type of product 6 to the ESL server 10 and the electronic shelf label for the product 6. Product information to be newly displayed by 5 is input through the LAN 21 (step s21). The product code and product information input to the ESL server 10 are input to the CPU 11 through the data communication unit 17.

  Here, when the product information about the single product 6 in the product master 301 is updated, the POS server 31 according to the first embodiment updates the product information after the update (the electronic shelf label 5 is a target to be newly displayed). Product information) and a product code related to the single product 6 are transmitted to the ESL server 10.

  On the other hand, when product information common to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting one product group 600 is updated in the product master 301 (for example, a normal price or a sale price), the POS server 31 updates the updated product. Information and a product code related to only one type of product 6 among the plurality of types of products 6 are transmitted. For example, in the product master 301, a normal price common to “Sweater / S size” product 6, “Sweater / M size” product 6 and “Sweater / L size” product 6 constituting one product group 600. Is updated, the updated regular price and the product 6 of the “Sweater / S size” product 6, the “Sweater / M size” product 6 and the “Sweater / L size” product 6 The product code (for example, the product code “100201” of “Sweater / S size”) is transmitted from the POS server 31.

  Next, the CPU 11 updates the product information in the product file 101 associated with the input product code with the input new product information (step s22). At this time, if the input product code is a product code related to the group product 6, the CPU 11 also stores product information related to another type of product 6 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs. , Update with the new product information entered. Specifically, when the product code input in the group file 103 is registered, the CPU 11 refers to the group file 103 and associates the same group number with the input product code. Identify the product code for. The specified product code is a product code related to another type of product 6 in the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the product code input to the CPU 11 belongs. And CPU11 updates the merchandise information in the merchandise file 101 matched with the specified merchandise code with the input new merchandise information. Thereby, the merchandise information in the merchandise file 101 is updated for all of the plural types of merchandise 6 associated with the common electronic shelf label 5.

  Next, the CPU 11 refers to the link file 102 and specifies a device code associated with the input product code (step s23). That is, the CPU 11 specifies the electronic shelf label 5 associated with the product 6 related to the input product code. And CPU11 transmits the input new merchandise information with respect to the electronic shelf label 5 which concerns on the identified apparatus code (step s24). That is, the CPU 11 inputs transmission data including the specified device code and new product information to each communication device 4 through the interface unit 18 and the base station 41, and causes each communication device 4 to transmit the transmission data.

  In the electronic shelf label 5, when the communication unit 54 receives the signal from the ESL server 10, the control unit 57 compares the device code included in the signal with the device code stored by itself, and the both device codes match. Then, new product information included in the signal received by the communication unit 54 is stored in the memory 57a. And the control part 57 displays the new merchandise information in the memory 57a on the display 51 (step s25). Thereby, the display of the electronic shelf label 5 is updated. Thereafter, the control unit 57 causes the light emitting unit 52 to output an infrared signal including ACK information.

  Thus, in the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the first embodiment, the product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 common to the plurality of types of products 6 constituting one product group 600 is transferred from the POS server 31 to the ESL server. 10, the product codes of all the multiple types of products 6 are not input from the POS server 31 to the ESL server 10, but any one type of the products 6 of the multiple types of products 6. Only the product code is input from the POS server 31 to the ESL server 10.

<Association between product and electronic shelf label>
When the electronic shelf label system 1 is introduced into a store, the process of associating the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 handled in the store in terms of data, specifically, the process of associating the product code with the device code is an electronic shelf. This is done in the bill system 1. When the product 6 to be sold is changed, the electronic shelf label system 1 performs processing for associating the product 6 newly handled in the store with the electronic shelf label 5 in terms of data. In this association processing, the information processing terminal 180 is used.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 when the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are associated in terms of data. Prior to the association process, the product 6 to be associated is placed on the product shelf 60 in the same manner as in the state of sale as shown in FIGS. In addition, as the electronic shelf label 5, one that is not compatible with the product 6 is prepared. When the electronic shelf label 5 is not compatible with the product 6, as shown in FIG. 11, the electronic shelf label 5 displays its own device code as a character string 51d and a barcode 51e.

  First, the electronic shelf label 5 and the information processing terminal 180 that do not correspond to the product 6 are carried by the worker to the front of the product shelf 60 on which the product 6 to be matched is placed. The electronic shelf label 5 is attached to the product shelf 60 in the vicinity of the product 6 to be matched by the operator.

  Next, when an operator performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 184 of the information processing terminal 180, the operation unit 184 inputs the operation information to the CPU 181. Then, the CPU 181 sets the processing mode of the information processing terminal 180 to “link mode” for associating.

  Next, when the information processing terminal 180 is operated by the operator and the barcode reader 185 reads the barcode 51e indicating the device code displayed on the electronic shelf label 5, the device code is read by the barcode reader. It is input to the CPU 181 through 185 (step s31). Since the barcode 51e is displayed on the display 51 on the front side of the electronic shelf label 5, the information processing terminal 180 acquires the device code from the electronic shelf label 5 in a state where the electronic shelf label 5 is attached to the commodity shelf 60. be able to.

  Furthermore, when the barcode reader 185 reads the barcode attached to the product 6 placed on the product shelf 60 by operating the information processing terminal 180 by the operator, the product code indicated by the barcode is The data is input to the CPU 181 through the barcode reader 185 (step s31).

  The order in which the information processing terminal 180 acquires the device code and the product code is not particularly limited, and the information processing terminal 180 may acquire the device code after acquiring the product code in advance. That is, it does not matter whether the information processing terminal 180 acquires the product code first or the device code first.

  Instead of displaying the device code on the electronic shelf label 5, the device code may be attached to the electronic shelf label 5 by labeling or printing. In this case, the electronic shelf label 5 is attached to the commodity shelf 60 in the same manner as when the electronic shelf label 5 displays the device code by attaching a barcode indicating the device code to the front surface of the electronic shelf label 5. In this state, the information processing terminal 180 can acquire the device code from the electronic shelf label 5. When the device code is attached to the back surface of the electronic shelf label 5, the information processing terminal 180 acquires the device code from the electronic shelf label 5 that is not attached to the product shelf 60.

  The device code and product code input to the CPU 181 are transmitted from the wireless LAN communication unit 186 to the ESL server 10 through the AP 170, and input to the data communication unit 17 of the ESL server 10 (step s32). The device code and product code input to the data communication unit 17 are input to the CPU 11.

  In the ESL server 10, when the device code and the product code are input to the CPU 11, the CPU 11 checks whether the input product code is already registered in the link file 102 (step s33). If the CPU 11 determines that the input product code is not already registered in the link file 102, the group file 103 is used to determine whether the product 6 specified by the input product code is a single product 6 or a group product 6. Is determined (step s34). Specifically, if the input product code is not registered in the group file 103, the CPU 11 determines that the product 6 related to the product code is a single product 6, and if it is registered, The product 6 related to the product code is determined to be the group product 6.

  If the CPU 11 determines that the product 6 related to the input product code is a single product 6, the CPU 11 generates one record 102a indicating the input product code and the device code in association with each other (step s35). . Thereafter, the ESL server 10 executes Step s38.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 11 determines that the product 6 related to the input product code is the group product 6, the CPU 11 refers to the group file 103 and identifies the group number associated with the input product code. Then, the CPU 11 refers to the group file 103 and identifies all product codes other than the input product code that are associated with the identified group number. Thereby, in the ESL server 10, the product codes related to all other products 6 belonging to the same product group 600 as the product 6 specified by the input product code are specified. The CPU 11 associates the input product code and the product code related to all other products 6 belonging to the same product group 600 as the product 6 related to the product code and the input device code in association with each other. Generate (step s36). Specifically, the CPU 11 inputs the product code and the product code for each of the product codes related to all other products 6 belonging to the same product group 600 as the product 6 related to the product code. One record 102 a indicating the device code in association with the device code is generated in the link file 102. Thereby, in the ESL server 10, not only the input product code and the device code are associated, but also the product code related to another type of product 6 belonging to the same product group 600 as the product 6 related to the input product code. Are associated with the input device code. Thereafter, the ESL server 10 executes Step s38.

  If the CPU 11 determines in step s33 that the input product code is already registered in the product file 101, the CPU 11 ends the process without generating the record 102a relating to the input product code (step s37). Thereby, it is possible to prevent the useless record 102a including the same information as the record 102a already generated in the product file 101 from being generated.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the product code and the device code related to one type of product 6 among the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 are input to the data communication unit 17 of the ESL server 10. Thus, in the ESL server 10, the product codes and device codes associated with all of the plurality of types of products 6 are associated with each other. That is, the operator simply uses the information processing terminal 180 to perform processing for associating one type of the product 6 among the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 with the electronic shelf label 5. In the server 10, all of the plurality of types of products 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are associated in terms of data.

  In step s38, the CPU 11 acquires product information associated with the input product code from the product file 101 and displayed on the electronic shelf label 5. Then, the CPU 11 transmits transmission data including the acquired product information and the input device code to each communication device 4 through the interface unit 18 and the base station 41. Each communication device 4 transmits a signal including the input transmission data.

  In the electronic shelf label 5 associated with the product 6, when the communication unit 54 receives a signal from the ESL server 10, the control unit 57 compares the device code included in the signal with the device code stored by itself. If the two device codes match, the product information included in the signal received by the communication unit 54 is stored in the memory 57a. And the control part 57 displays the merchandise information in the memory 57a on the display 51 (step s39). As a result, the display of the electronic shelf label 5 that has been associated with the product 6 is switched from the display of FIG. 11 to the display of FIG. 10. Thereafter, the control unit 57 causes the light emitting unit 52 to output an infrared signal including ACK information.

  As described above, in the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the first embodiment, when the process of associating the group product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 is performed, the data communication unit 17 of the ESL server 10 is A product code related to one type of product 6 included in one product group 600 and a device code related to the electronic shelf label 5 are input (step s32). For example, the product code “150601” related to the product 6 of “ramune confectionery / red package” included in one product group 600 identified by the group number “031”, and the device code “990601” related to the electronic shelf label 5 Is input to the data communication unit 17.

  When the process of updating the display of the electronic shelf label 5 is performed, the product information common to the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the one product group 600 and the one included in the product group 600 are displayed. A product code related to the type of product 6 is input (step s21). For example, the product 6 of “ramune confectionery / red package”, the product 6 of “ramune confectionery / blue package” and the product of “ramune confectionery / yellow package” constituting one product group 600 identified by the group number “031”. A normal price common to the product 6 and a product code “150603” related to the product 6 of “ramune confectionery / yellow package” are input to the data communication unit 17.

  In the ESL server 10, based on the product code (“150601”) and device code (“990601”) input during the association process, and the group file 103, the product group to which the product 6 related to the product code belongs. Correlation information (a plurality of records 102a) indicating the association of product codes and device codes related to all products 6 constituting 600 is generated (step s36). Then, in the ESL server 10, based on the generated association information, the product 6 (“ramune candy / yellow” specified by the product code (“150603”) input during the display update process of the electronic shelf label 5 is performed. The electronic shelf label 5 (in the above example, the electronic shelf label 5 with the device code “990601”) common to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 to which the package “) belongs is specified (step s23). In other words, the ESL server 10 is identified by the product code input during the display update processing of the electronic shelf label 5 based on the product code and device code input during the association processing and the group file 103. A common electronic shelf label 5 is specified for a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 to which the product 6 belongs.

  Therefore, in the ESL server 10, in each of the association process and the display update process of the electronic shelf label 5, no matter what kind of product code 6 is input in one product group 600, step s23 The electronic shelf label 5 common to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the one product group 600 can be specified. Therefore, in each of the association process and the display update process of the electronic shelf label 5, no matter what kind of product code 6 is input to the ESL server 10 in one product group 600, in step s25. The product information common to the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the one product group 600 can be reliably displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 common to the plurality of types of products 6. Further, at the time of the association process, the worker only has to input, to the information processing terminal 180, only the product code related to one type of product 6 among the plurality of types of products 6 constituting one product group 600. As a result, work efficiency is dramatically improved.

  In the association process according to the first embodiment, the ESL server 10 uses another type of product 6 belonging to the same product group 600 as the product 6 specified by the product code input during the association process. Is determined based on the group file 103. Then, in the ESL server 10, association information indicating the identified product code, the input product code, and the device code in association with each other is generated (step s36). Therefore, even if a product code for any type of product 6 in one product group 600 is input to the ELS server 10 during the association process, all types of products 6 constituting the one product group 600 are included. A product code and a device code can be associated with each other. Therefore, among the product groups 600 to which the product 6 specified by the product code input to the ESL server 10 in the association process belongs, the product code for which type of product 6 is updated in the display of the electronic shelf label 5. Even if input to the ESL server 10, the electronic shelf label 5 common to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 can be specified in step s 23. As a result, in each of the association process and the display update process of the electronic shelf label 5, no matter what kind of product code 6 is input in one product group 600, in step s25, the one product code is input. The product information common to the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 can be reliably displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 common to the plurality of types of products 6.

  In the example of displaying the products 6 in FIGS. 2 to 4, a plurality of types of products 6 constituting one product group 600 are simultaneously displayed in the store, but are displayed in the stores among the plurality of types of products 6. Even when the product 6 is replaced by the season or the like, the association between the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 and the display of the electronic shelf label 5 can be updated in the same manner as described above.

  For example, in the product group 600 identified by the group number “032”, the product 6 of “chocolate / red package” (hereinafter simply referred to as “red package product 6”) is first sold at the store, In step s31, when the product code “150701” related to the red package product 6 and the device code “990701” of the one electronic shelf label 5 are input to the information processing terminal 180, the red package product 6 in step s36. The product code “150701” and the device code “990701” in association with each other, and the product related to the product 6 of “chocolate / black package” (hereinafter simply referred to as “black package product 6”). One record 10 indicating the code “150702” and the device code “990701” in association with each other And a a are generated in the link file 102. Thus, in the ESL server 10, when the product code of one type of product 6 sold in the store is input, not only the record 102a related to the product code but also the same product as the one type of product 6 A record 102a is also generated for a product code related to another type of product 6 belonging to the group 600 and to be sold later.

  Thereafter, the black package product 6 is sold in the store instead of the red package product 6, and the product code and product information relating to the black package product 6 are input to the ESL server 10 from the upper server in the above-described step s21. Then, in step s23, the ESL server 10 refers to the link file 102 and specifies the device code associated with the product code related to the black package product 6. And the ESL server 10 transmits the merchandise information from a high-order server with respect to the electronic shelf label 5 which concerns on the identified apparatus code in step s24. Thereby, the product information from the host server is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 common to the red package product 6 and the black package product 6.

  As described above, in the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the first embodiment, with respect to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting one product group 600, the worker can first sell one type of product 6 at the store. And the electronic shelf label 5 are associated with each other using the information processing terminal 180 (step s31). Thereafter, the type of the product 6 sold in the store is changed, and the product code relating to the changed type of product 6 is changed. And product information are transmitted from the upper server (step s21), the product information is surely stored in the electronic shelf label 5 common to the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the one product group 600. Can be displayed.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
15 and 16 are flowcharts showing the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The configuration of the electronic shelf label system 1 according to Embodiment 2 is the same as the configuration of the electronic shelf label system 1 according to Embodiment 1 described above. The electronic shelf label system 1 according to the second embodiment includes the operation when the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are associated with each other in the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the first embodiment, and the electronic shelf label. The operation when the product information displayed by 5 is updated is changed. FIG. 15 shows the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the second embodiment when the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are associated in terms of data, and FIG. The operation | movement of the electronic shelf label system 1 which concerns on this Embodiment 2 when the merchandise information to update is updated is shown. Hereinafter, the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the first embodiment.

<Association between product and electronic shelf label>
As shown in FIG. 15, first, in step s41, as in step s31 described above, the barcode reader 185 reads the barcode 51e indicating the device code displayed on the electronic shelf label 5, and also stores the product shelf 60. The bar code attached to the product 6 placed on is read. As a result, the device code indicated by the barcode 51e displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 and the product code indicated by the barcode attached to the product 6 are input to the CPU 181 through the barcode reader 185.

  The device code and the product code input to the CPU 181 are transmitted from the wireless LAN communication unit 186 to the ESL server 10 through the AP 170 and input to the data communication unit 17 of the ESL server 10 (step s42). The device code and product code input to the data communication unit 17 are input to the CPU 11.

  In the ESL server 10, the CPU 11 confirms whether the product 6 related to the input product code is the single product 6 or the group product 6 (step s43). Specifically, when the input product code is not registered in the group file 103, the CPU 11 determines that the product 6 related to the input product code is a single product 6 and inputs the input product code. Is registered in the group file 103, it is determined that the product 6 related to the input product code is the group product 6.

  When the CPU 11 determines that the product 6 related to the input product code is a single product 6, the CPU 11 checks whether the input product code is registered in the link file 102 (step s44). If the CPU 11 determines that the input product code is not registered in the link file 102, the CPU 11 generates one record 102a in the product file 101 indicating the input device code and the product code in association with each other (step s45). On the other hand, when determining that the input product code is registered in the link file 102, the CPU 11 ends the process without generating the record 102a related to the input product code (step s46).

  If the CPU 11 determines that the product 6 related to the input product code is the group product 6, the CPU 11 determines the input product code and another type of product 6 in the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the product code belongs. It is confirmed whether or not the product code related to is registered in the link file 102 (step s44). The CPU 11 refers to the group file 103, identifies the group number associated with the input product code, and identifies the product code other than the input product code associated with the identified group number By doing this, it is possible to specify a product code related to another type of product 6 in the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs. When the CPU 11 determines that the input product code and the product code related to another type of product 6 to which the product 6 related to the product code belongs are not registered in the link file 102, the input One record 102a showing the device code and the product code in association with each other is generated in the product file 101 (step s45). On the other hand, the CPU 11 determines that any of the input product code and the product code related to another type of product 6 to which the product 6 related to the product code belongs is registered in the link file 102. Then, the process ends without generating the record 102a related to the input product code (step s46).

  As the ESL server 10 operates in this manner, for each product group 600, only the product code related to one type of product 6 among the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 is stored in the link file 102. Be registered.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the link file 102 according to the second embodiment. For example, among the product codes related to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 related to the group number “010”, the product code “100201” related to the product 6 of “Sweater / S size” is first sent to the ESL server 10. When input, as shown in FIG. 17, only the record 102 a including the product code “100201” is generated in the link file 102, and product codes related to other types of products 6 belonging to the product group 600 are displayed. The record 102a including the record code 102a including the product code "100202" related to the product 6 of "Sweater / M size" and the record 102a including the product code "100203" related to the product 6 of "Sweater / L size" are generated. Not.

  Similarly, among the product codes related to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 related to the group number “011”, the product code “100302” related to the product 6 of “Cardigan / M size” is first displayed in the ESL server 10. 17, as shown in FIG. 17, only the record 102 a including the product code “100302” is generated in the link file 102, and product codes related to other types of products 6 that belong to the product group 600. That is, the record 102a including the product code “100301” related to the product 6 of “Cardigan / S size” and the record 102a including the product code “100303” related to the product 6 of “Cardigan / L size” Not generated.

  When step s45 is executed, the CPU 11 acquires, from the product file 101, product information that is associated with the input product code and that is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5. Then, the CPU 11 transmits transmission data including the acquired product information and the input device code to each communication device 4 through the interface unit 18 and the base station 41. Each communication device 4 transmits a signal including the input transmission data (step s47).

  In the electronic shelf label 5 associated with the product 6, when the communication unit 54 receives a signal from the ESL server 10, the control unit 57 compares the device code included in the signal with the device code stored by itself. If the two device codes match, the product information included in the signal received by the communication unit 54 is stored in the memory 57a. And the control part 57 displays the merchandise information in the memory 57a on the display 51 (step s48). As a result, the display of the electronic shelf label 5 that has been associated with the product 6 is switched from the display of FIG. 11 to the display of FIG. 10. Thereafter, the control unit 57 causes the light emitting unit 52 to output an infrared signal including ACK information.

<Update of product information displayed on the electronic shelf label>
Next, the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the second embodiment when the product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is updated will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a product code related to one type of product 6 and product information to be newly displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 for the product 6 are input from the POS server 31 to the ESL server 10 via the LAN 21. (Step s51).

  Here, as in the first embodiment, the POS server 31 according to the second embodiment, when the product information about the single product 6 in the product master 301 is updated, the updated product information and the single product. When the product code related to the product 6 is transmitted to the ESL server 10 and the product information common to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting one product group 600 is updated in the product master 301, the updated product information and The product code relating to only one of the plurality of types of products 6 is transmitted. The product code and product information input to the ESL server 10 are input to the CPU 11 through the data communication unit 17.

  Next, the CPU 11 updates the product information in the product file 101 associated with the input product code with the input new product information (step s52). At this time, if the input product code is a product code related to the group product 6, the CPU 11 performs another process for the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs, in the same manner as in step s22 described above. The merchandise information related to the type of merchandise 6 is also updated with the input new merchandise information.

  Next, the CPU 11 specifies the device code related to the electronic shelf label 5 whose display is to be updated using the link file 102 and the group file 103 (step s53). In step s53, first, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the product code input in the group file 103 is registered. If the CPU 11 determines that the input product code is not registered in the group file 103, the CPU 11 next refers to the link file 102 and identifies a device code associated with the input product code. This device code is the device code related to the electronic shelf label 5 whose display is to be updated. The fact that the product code input to the ESL server 10 is not registered in the group file 103 means that the input product code is a product code related to the single product 6 and the product code related to the single product 6 is always Since the link file 102 is associated with the device code, the device code corresponding to the input product code can be specified by referring to the link file 102.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 11 determines that the input product code is registered in the group file 103, the CPU 11 refers to the group file 103 and specifies the group number associated with the input product code. Identify all product codes associated with the group number. That is, when the product 6 related to the input product code is the group product 6, the CPU 11 refers to the group file 103 and configures a plurality of product groups 600 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs. The product code related to the type of product 6 is specified. Then, the CPU 11 refers to the link file 102 and identifies a device code associated with any of the identified plurality of product codes. This device code is a device code of the electronic shelf label 5 common to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the product code input to the CPU 11 belongs, and is an electronic for which the display is to be updated. This is the device code of the shelf label 5. In the link file 102, the product code and the device code related to any one type of products 6 among the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 are associated with each other, so refer to the link file 102. By doing so, it is possible to specify the device code of the electronic shelf label 5 common to the plurality of types of products 6. In this way, the CPU 11 specifies the electronic shelf label 5 that is common to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs.

  Next, the CPU 11 transmits the input new product information to the electronic shelf label 5 related to the device code specified in step s53 (step s54). That is, the CPU 11 inputs transmission data including the specified device code and new product information to each communication device 4 through the interface unit 18 and the base station 41, and causes each communication device 4 to transmit the transmission data.

  In the electronic shelf label 5, when the communication unit 54 receives the signal from the ESL server 10, the control unit 57 compares the device code included in the signal with the device code stored by itself, and the both device codes match. Then, new product information included in the signal received by the communication unit 54 is stored in the memory 57a. And the control part 57 displays the new merchandise information in the memory 57a on the display 51 (step s55). Thereby, the display of the electronic shelf label 5 is updated. Thereafter, the control unit 57 causes the light emitting unit 52 to output an infrared signal including ACK information.

  As described above, in the associating process according to the second embodiment, the ESL server 10 generates the association information indicating the product code and the device code input in step s42 in association with each other in the link file 102. (Step s45). Then, in the ESL server 10, based on the association information and the group file 103, the product group 600 to which the product 6 specified by the product code input in step s 51 in the display update processing of the electronic shelf label 5 belongs. The common electronic shelf label 5 is specified for the plurality of types of commodities 6 (step s53). Therefore, in the ESL server 10, in each of the association process and the display update process of the electronic shelf label 5, even if a product code for any type of product 6 in the product group 600 is input, The electronic shelf label 5 common to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 can be specified. Therefore, in each of the association process and the display update process of the electronic shelf label 5, no matter what kind of product code 6 is input to the ESL server 10 in one product group 600, the one Product information common to the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 can be reliably displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 common to the plurality of types of products 6 (step s55).

  Note that, in the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the second embodiment, as in the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the first embodiment, the operator can make a plurality of types of products 6 constituting one product group 600. The processing of associating the one type of product 6 that is initially sold in the store with the electronic shelf label 5 is performed using the information processing terminal 180 (step s41), and then the type of the product 6 that is sold in the store is Even when the product code and the product information related to the changed type of product 6 are transmitted from the host server (step s51), the product information is used as a plurality of items constituting the one product group 600. The electronic shelf label 5 common to the types of products 6 can be displayed reliably.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration of the ESL server 10 provided in the electronic shelf label system 1 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18, the ESL server 10 according to the third embodiment is the same as the ESL server 10 according to the first embodiment described above, except that the link file 102 instead of the link file 102 The group product link file 202 is stored in the hard disk 14. Hereinafter, the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a single product link file 201. The single product link file 201 is a data file that associates the electronic shelf label 5 with the single product 6 in terms of data. As shown in FIG. 19, the single product link file 201 has a table format, and each record 201 a associates one product code related to one type of single product 6 with one device code. It shows. By referring to the single product link file 201, it is possible to identify which electronic shelf label 5 each single product 6 handled in the store is associated with.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the group product link file 202. The group product link file 202 is a data file that associates the electronic shelf label 5 with the product group 600 in terms of data. As shown in FIG. 20, the group product link file 202 has a table format similar to the single product link file 201, and each record 202 a is one product composed of a plurality of types of group products 6. A group number related to the group 600 is associated with one device code. As described above, since the group number and the product code are associated with each other in the group file 103, the product for each product group 600 can be obtained by referring to the group product link file 202 and the group file 103. It is possible to specify which electronic shelf label 5 is associated with a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the group 600. That is, the group product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are associated in terms of data by the group product link file 202 and the group file 103.

<First transmission of product information to each electronic shelf label when the system is installed>
Next, the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the third embodiment when product information is transmitted for the first time to each electronic shelf label 5 in the sales space 90 when the system is introduced or the like will be described. Here, for each electronic shelf label 5 associated with the single product 6, the file used in step s 1 in FIG. 12 is simply replaced with the link file 201 for single product from the link file 102. The product information can be transmitted in the same manner as in FIG. Therefore, below, operation | movement of the electronic shelf label system 1 which concerns on this Embodiment 3 when goods information is transmitted for the first time with respect to each electronic shelf label 5 matched with the group goods 6 is demonstrated. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation.

  As shown in FIG. 21, first, the CPU 11 of the ESL server 10 refers to one record 202a (for example, the first record 202a) of the group product link file 202, and sets one group number from the one record 202a. The device code associated with the group number is acquired (step s61).

  Next, the CPU 11 refers to the group file 103 and acquires one product code among the plurality of product codes associated with the acquired group number (step s62). Here, any product code may be used as long as it is associated with the group number acquired in step s61.

  Next, the CPU 11 acquires, from the product file 101, product information that is associated with the acquired product code and is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 (step s63). And CPU11 produces | generates the transmission data containing the acquired merchandise information and the apparatus code acquired at step s61. This transmission data is input to each communication device 4 through the interface unit 18 and the base station 41. Each communication device 4 transmits an infrared signal including the input transmission data (step s64).

  Thereafter, in the electronic shelf label system 1, in steps s65 to s68, processing similar to that in steps s4 to s7 described above is performed. Thereafter, the CPU 11 of the ESL server 10 performs Step s61 again. Here, a record 202a different from the record 202a referred to so far is referred to. Thereafter, the same processing is performed in the electronic shelf label system 1. If the ACK information is not input to the CPU 11 within a predetermined time after the CPU 11 transmits the product information, the ESL server 10 executes step s64 again, and the product information is retransmitted. Thereafter, when receiving the ACK information, the CPU 11 performs Step s61 again. Here, a record 102a different from the record 202a referred to so far is referred to.

<Update of product information displayed on the electronic shelf label>
Next, the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 according to Embodiment 3 when the product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is updated will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the ESL server 10 performs the same processing as steps s21 and s22 described above in steps s71 and s72. Next, in the ESL server 10, the CPU 11 uses the single product link file 201, the group product link file 202, and the group file 103 to specify the device code related to the electronic shelf label 5 whose display is to be updated. (Step s73). In step s73, first, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the input product code is registered in the group file 103. If the CPU 11 determines that the input product code is not registered in the group file 103, the CPU 11 refers to the single product link file 201 and identifies the device code associated with the input product code. . This device code is the device code related to the electronic shelf label 5 whose display is to be updated. Thereby, in the CPU 11, the electronic shelf label 5 corresponding to the product 6 related to the input product code is specified.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 11 determines that the input product code is registered in the group file 103, the CPU 11 refers to the group file 103 and identifies the group number associated with the input product code. Then, the CPU 11 refers to the group product link file 202 and identifies the device code associated with the identified group number. This device code is the device code related to the electronic shelf label 5 whose display is to be updated. As a result, the CPU 11 identifies the electronic shelf label 5 common to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs.

  As described above, in the ESL server 10, when the input product code is a product code related to the single product 6, the ESL server 10 corresponds to the product 6 related to the input product code based on the single product link file 201. The electronic shelf label 5 is specified. On the other hand, in the ESL server 10, when the input product code is a product code related to the group product 6, the group of the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs is based on the group file 103. Based on the group number and the group product link file 202, the electronic shelf label 5 common to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs is specified. Is done.

  Thereafter, in the electronic shelf label system 1, in steps s74 and s75, processing similar to that in steps s24 and s25 described above is performed. Thereby, the display of the electronic shelf label 5 relating to the device code specified in step s73 is updated. Thereafter, the control unit 57 of the electronic shelf label 5 causes the light emitting unit 52 to output an infrared signal including ACK information.

<Association between product and electronic shelf label>
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic shelf label system 1 when the product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are associated in terms of data. As shown in FIG. 23, first, in step s81, as in step s31 described above, the barcode reader 185 reads the barcode 51e indicating the device code displayed on the electronic shelf label 5, and also stores the product shelf 60. The bar code attached to the product 6 placed on is read. As a result, the device code indicated by the barcode 51e displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 and the product code indicated by the barcode attached to the product 6 are input to the CPU 181 through the barcode reader 185.

  The device code and the product code input to the CPU 181 are transmitted from the wireless LAN communication unit 186 to the ESL server 10 through the AP 170 and input to the data communication unit 17 of the ESL server 10 (step s82). The device code and product code input to the data communication unit 17 are input to the CPU 11.

  In the ESL server 10, the CPU 11 checks whether the product 6 related to the input product code is a single product 6 or a group product 6 in the same manner as in the above-described step s43 (step s83). If the CPU 11 determines that the product 6 related to the input product code is a single product 6, the CPU 11 checks whether the input product code is registered in the single product link file 201 (step s84). If the CPU 11 determines that the input product code is not registered in the single product link file 201, the CPU 11 generates a single record 201a in which the input device code and the product code are associated with each other in the single product link file 201. (Step s85). On the other hand, when determining that the input product code is registered in the single product link file 201, the CPU 11 ends the process without generating the record 201a regarding the input product code (step s86).

  If the CPU 11 determines that the product 6 related to the input product code is the group product 6, the group number of the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs is stored in the group product link file 202. It is confirmed whether it is not registered (step s84). The CPU 11 specifies the group number of the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs by specifying the group number associated with the input product code with reference to the group file 103. be able to. If the CPU 11 determines that the group number of the product group 600 to which the product 6 related to the input product code belongs is not registered in the group product link file 202, the CPU 11 associates the group number with the input device code. One record 202a shown is generated in the group product link file 202 (step s85). On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines that the group number of the product group 600 to which the product 6 relating to the input product code belongs is registered in the group product link file 202, the CPU 11 does not generate the record 202a related to the group number. The process ends (step s86).

  When step s85 is executed, the ESL server 10 performs the same processing as step s38 described above in step s87. Thereafter, in the electronic shelf label system 1, in step s88, processing similar to that in step 39 described above is executed. As a result, the display of the electronic shelf label 5 that has been associated with the product 6 is switched from the display of FIG. 11 to the display of FIG. 10. Thereafter, the control unit 57 of the electronic shelf label 5 causes the light emitting unit 52 to output an infrared signal including ACK information.

  As described above, in the associating process according to the third embodiment, the ESL server 10 obtains the group number for the product group 600 to which the product 6 specified by the product code input in step s82 belongs. Correlation information (record 202a) that is specified based on the ID and that indicates the specified group number and the device code input in step s82 is generated (step s85). Therefore, in the ESL server 10, no matter what type of product code 6 is input in the association process among the one product group 600, the group number and device code for the one product group 600 are obtained. Association information shown in association with each other can be generated. Then, in the ESL server 10, the group number for the product group 600 to which the product 6 specified by the product code input in step s 71 in the display update process of the electronic shelf label 5 belongs is specified based on the group file 103 ( Step s73), based on the identified group number and the group product link file 202, the electronic shelf label 5 common to the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 is specified (step s73). Therefore, in the ESL server 10, even if a product code for any type of product 6 in one product group 600 is input in the display update processing of the electronic shelf label 5, the one product group 600 is configured. The electronic shelf label 5 common to the plurality of types of products 6 can be specified. Therefore, in the ESL server 10, in each of the association process and the display update process of the electronic shelf label 5, no matter what kind of product code 6 is input in one product group 600, the one product code is input. The product information common to the plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600 can be reliably displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 common to the plurality of types of products 6 (step s75).

  In the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the third embodiment, as described above, the group product 6 and the electronic shelf label 5 are associated in data by the group file 103 and the group product link file 202. Yes. Therefore, in the electronic shelf label system 1, the product information (for example, normal price) for a certain group product 6 displayed by the electronic shelf label 5 is replaced with other product information (for example, special price) registered in the product file 101. In the case of changing to the group product 103, the group number associated with the product code related to the target group product 6 is identified, and then the group product link file 202 is identified. The device code associated with the assigned group number is specified. Then, the product information (sale price) of the change destination related to the target group product 6 is acquired from the product file 101, and the acquired product information is transmitted to the electronic shelf label 5 related to the specified device code.

  Also, in the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the third embodiment, as in the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the first embodiment, the operator can relate to a plurality of types of products 6 constituting one product group 600. The processing of associating the one type of product 6 that is initially sold in the store with the electronic shelf label 5 is performed using the information processing terminal 180 (step s81), and then the type of the product 6 that is sold in the store is Even when the product code and product information related to the changed type of product 6 are transmitted from the host server (step s71), the product information is used as a plurality of items constituting the one product group 600. The electronic shelf label 5 common to the types of products 6 can be displayed reliably.

<Modification 1>
In the above-described first to third embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, a group number for identifying the product group 600 is determined by a system different from the product code. A group number as shown in FIG. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing another example of the group file 103. In the group file 103 of FIG. 24, as a group number for identifying the product group 600, a product code that is a representative of a plurality of product codes for identifying each of a plurality of types of products 6 constituting the product group 600. Is adopted. The representative product code may be any of the plurality of product codes, and in the example of FIG. 24, the smallest number among the plurality of product codes is adopted. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the group product link file 202 when the number as shown in FIG. 24 is adopted as the group number. Even when the group numbers as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 are employed, the same effects as in the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

<Modification 2>
In the electronic shelf label system 1 according to the above-described first to third embodiments, for a plurality of types of products 6 constituting one product group 600, product information common to them is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5. Therefore, for the group product 6, it is not always necessary to manage the product information for each type of the product 6 as in the product file 101 shown in FIG. 6, and the product information may be managed for each product group 600. In the following, a modification of the electronic shelf label system 1 when managing product information for each type of product 6 for single product 6 and managing product information for each product group 600 for group product 6 will be described. .

  In the electronic shelf label system 1 according to this modification, a single product file 401 shown in FIG. 26 and a group product file 402 shown in FIG. 27 are used instead of the product file 101 shown in FIG. The single-item product file 401 has a table format, and each of the plurality of records 401 a indicates product information related to one type of single-item product 6, similar to the product file 101. Specifically, a product code, a product name, a normal price, a special sale price, a special sale period, a sales quantity, a stock quantity, an order quantity, quality information, and the like are registered in each record 401a.

  The group product file 402 also has a table format. In the group product file 402, each of the plurality of records 402a indicates product information common to a plurality of types of group products 6 constituting one product group 600. Specifically, a group number, a product name, a normal price, a special sale price, a special sale period, quality information, and the like are registered in each record 402a. In the group file 103 described above, since the group number and the product code are associated with each other, referring to the group file 103 and the group product file 402, the product code related to the group product 6 is related to the group product 6. Product information can be acquired.

  The information in the single product file 401 and the information other than the group number in the group product file 402 are the same information as the information in the product master 301. In addition, since the number of sales, the number of inventory, and the like registered in the single product file 401 are different information for each type of the product 6, these pieces of information are group product files that store product information for each product group 600. It is not registered in 402.

  The above-described steps s2, s22, s38, s47, s52, s62, s63, s72, and s87 when using such a single product file 401 and group product file 402 will be described.

  In step s2, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the product code acquired in step s1 is registered in the group file 103. If the product code is not registered, the product code acquired in step s1 from the single product file 401 is determined. And product information to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is acquired. On the other hand, when the product code acquired in step s1 is registered in the group file 103, the CPU 11 refers to the group file 103 and sets the group number associated with the product code acquired in step s1. Identify. Then, the CPU 11 acquires, from the group product file 402, product information that is associated with the identified group number and that is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5.

  In each of steps s22, s52, and s72, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the input product code is registered in the group file 103, and if not, is associated with the input product code. The product information in the single product file 401 is updated with the input new product information. On the other hand, when the input product code is registered in the group file 103, the CPU 11 refers to the group file 103 and identifies the group number associated with the input product code. And CPU11 updates the merchandise information in the group merchandise file 402 matched with the specified group number with the input new merchandise information.

  In each of steps s38, s47, and s87, when the product 6 related to the input product code is the single product 6, the CPU 11 stores the product associated with the input product code from the single product file 401. With information, product information to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 5 is acquired. On the other hand, when the product 6 related to the input product code is the group product 6, the CPU 11 refers to the group file 103 and identifies the group number associated with the input product code. Then, the CPU 11 acquires, from the group product file 402, product information that is associated with the identified group number and that is displayed on the electronic shelf label 5.

  In steps s62 and s63, the CPU 11 acquires, from the group product file 402, product information associated with the group number acquired in step s61, and product information to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 5. Thereafter, in the ESL server 10, step s64 is executed.

  As described above, even when the single product file 401 and the group product file 402 are used instead of the product file 101, the same effects as in the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

1 Electronic shelf label system 4 Communication device 5 Electronic shelf label 6 Product 11 CPU
14 Hard disk 17 Data communication unit 102 Link file 103 Group file 202 Group product link file 600 Product group

Claims (5)

An electronic shelf label system including an electronic shelf label that is arranged corresponding to a product and displays product information related to the corresponding product,
There are multiple product groups, each consisting of multiple types of products,
In each of the plurality of product groups, product identification information for identifying a product, which is different from each other, is given to a plurality of types of products constituting the product group,
Product identification information for one type of product included in one product group and shelf label identification information for identifying an electronic shelf label common to a plurality of types of products constituting the one product group are input. A first input unit,
A storage unit for storing group information in which a plurality of product identification information for identifying a plurality of types of products constituting one product group is indicated for each product group;
Product information common to a plurality of types of products that make up a product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the first input unit belongs, and product identification for one type of product included in the product group A second input unit for inputting information;
Based on the product identification information and shelf label identification information input to the first input unit and the group information, a product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the second input unit belongs is configured. A shelf label identifying unit that identifies an electronic shelf label common to multiple types of products,
A transmission unit that transmits the product information input to the second input unit with respect to the electronic shelf label specified by the shelf label specifying unit;
The electronic shelf label system in which the electronic shelf label that has received the product information from the transmission unit displays the product information. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 1,
The shelf label specifying unit
A first identification unit that identifies product identification information for other types of products belonging to the same product group as the product identified by the product identification information input to the first input unit, based on the group information;
Correspondence information indicating the product identification information input to the first input unit, the product identification information specified by the first specifying unit, and the shelf label identification information input to the first input unit in association with each other. A generating unit to generate;
A second specifying unit that specifies an electronic shelf label that is common to a plurality of types of products that constitute a product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the second input unit belongs, based on the association information; Having an electronic shelf label system. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 1,
The shelf label specifying unit
A generating unit that generates association information indicating the product identification information and the shelf label identification information input to the first input unit in association with each other;
Specification that specifies an electronic shelf label common to a plurality of types of products that constitute a product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the second input unit belongs, based on the group information and the association information And an electronic shelf label system. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 1,
The group information corresponds to, for each product group, group identification information for identifying one product group and a plurality of product identification information for identifying each of a plurality of types of products constituting the one product group. Show
The shelf label specifying unit
A first specifying unit for specifying group identification information for a product group to which a product specified by the product identification information input to the first input unit belongs based on the group information;
A generation unit that generates association information indicating the group identification information identified by the first identification unit and the shelf label identification information input to the first input unit in association with each other;
A second specifying unit for specifying group identification information for a product group to which a product specified by the product identification information input to the second input unit belongs based on the group information;
Based on the association information and the group identification information specified by the second specifying unit, a plurality of types of products constituting a product group to which the product specified by the product identification information input to the second input unit belongs And an electronic shelf label system having a third identifying unit that identifies an electronic shelf label common to the two. The electronic shelf label system according to claim 4,
The group identification information is defined by a system different from the product identification information, or a plurality of product identification information for respectively identifying a plurality of types of products constituting one product group specified by the group identification information. An electronic shelf label system, which is representative product identification information.

Images